Bloody Urine: Is It a UTI?

Blood in the urine can be an indicator for a number of issues, many of which are not life threatening. While you should always take bleeding seriously, you shouldn’t immediately panic if you see blood in the toilet bowl. Instead, see a specialist to evaluate your symptoms and try to rule out potential causes like urinary tract infections and side effects to medication. 

At NY Midtown OB/GYN, with locations in the Midtown area of Manhattan, Westchester, and Mamaroneck, New York, our team of experienced women’s reproductive health professionals can help you determine if signs of blood in your urine are due to a urinary tract infection (UTI) or have another cause that needs to be diagnosed and addressed.  

Common causes of bloody urine

It can be shocking and upsetting to see discoloration in your urine, especially if it is a bright red or accompanied by any pelvic or vaginal pain. Hematuria, or bloody urine, happens to many adults at least once in their life. There are many reasons you might pass blood through your urine, and hematuria can be an important symptom you should address with a doctor. 

Common causes of hematuria include: 

• Infection, including urinary tract infection
• Stones in the bladder or kidneys 
• Injury to the bladder or kidneys
• Certain medications that irritate the bladder
• Bladder cancer
• “Spotting” related to your menstrual cycle

If you see blood in your urine, don’t panic. Make an appointment to be seen and create a list of other symptoms, medications you are on, and any other relevant information for the doctor.

Symptoms of a UTI 

You might notice the following additional symptoms if you have a UTI: 

• Pain during urination, such as burning 
• Leaking urine, or urinary incontinence 
• Urine that is cloudy or smells foul 
• Pressure in your pelvis 
• Abdominal pain

A UTI is normally not a very serious condition, but left untreated it can damage your urinary tract or infection can spread to your bladder. If there’s blood in your urine, you need to find the source of the bleeding, whether it’s a UTI or something more serious.

When to take hematuria seriously

Hematuria should always be taken seriously, especially if it’s intense in color and has no easy explanation. If there is a lot of blood, you should get immediate medical attention. If there are only a few drops when you go to the toilet, call our office and we can run tests to help figure out what is causing the spotting.

Concerned about blood in your urine? The women’s health specialists at NY Midtown OB/GYN can address your concerns and diagnose the cause. Schedule an appointment by calling 646-292-3030, or request one online.